News: According to MLB.com, Rangers 3B Hank Blalock will undergo surgery on his right shoulder Monday and will miss 10-12 weeks. Blalock has been diagnosed with Thoracic Outlet Syndrome. Blalock has a rib bone that is pressing against a nerve and causing the pain. Thoracic Outlet Syndrome consists of a group of distinct disorders that affect the nerves that pass into the arms from the neck and various nerves and blood vessels between the base of the neck and armpit.

Analysis: Blalock said the injury had been bothering him for quite some time, but didn't seek treatment until after Wednesday's game. It is unfortunate for Blalock, who is doing well in 2007 after suffering through an unrelated shoulder injury in 2006. Fantasy owners will have to do without Blalock until at least early July.

The Rangers called up third baseman Travis Metcalf from Double-A Frisco, where he was hitting .294 with six home runs and 25 RBIs in 38 games and 136 at-bats. Metcalf is considered an excellent defensive third baseman who is rebounding offensively. He batted just .221 with eight home runs and 37 RBIs at Frisco last year.

Metcalf did not start on Friday but will be given a chance to show what he can do. The Rangers right now are saying they prefer to give Metcalf a chance rather than seek outside help. The Astros could possibly be interested in trading Morgan Ensberg, who is hitting .211 with two home runs with 11 RBIs and has lost his job to Mike Lamb and Mark Loretta. He is also making $4.35 million.

Others who could be available are Reds third baseman Edwin Encarnacion, who has been demoted to Triple-A, and Nationals third baseman Tony Batista.

"The solution is hopefully just a 10-week solution," assistant general manager Thad Levine said. "Travis is going to be given an opportunity. We'll evaluate it over time but for the foreseeable future, Travis will be given an opportunity."

Levine said Metcalf, from a defensive standpoint, was ready to play in the Major Leagues two years ago. Offense has been the biggest concern but he has a .363 on-base percentage, which shows he's doing a better job of working counts and taking advantage of counts that are favorable to the hitter.

"If there was a veteran third baseman who could have an impact it would be a consideration," Levine said. "But we have faith in our own, especially when the outside alternatives don't represent a significant upgrade.

"Defensively, we're very confident that he'll come up and perform. Offensively, we're willing to be patient similar to some of our other guys and let him cut his teeth up here."